Conservation Committee gets two new members, chair resigns

TOWNSEND -- Selectmen appointed two new members to the Conservation Committee on Tuesday night, ending the long debate over the vacancies.

In early July, the board and Conservation Commission had a special work session in which they tried to agree on who to appoint to the two open spots in the commission but failed to make a decision.

On Aug. 12, the board decided to hold a meeting to interview all candidates for appointment and reappointment of the commission positions since the commission itself could not resolve their conflict.

"I understand that there have been all kinds of disagreements, some little and some not so little on this current commission," Selectmen Chairwoman Sue Lisio said.

The issue began when Mary Small decided to take a leave of absence in September, and at the same time the committee was seeking two new members.

The seven-member commission asked Stephen Marshall to attend commission meetings to get a better understanding of the commission's duties.

Small returned from her leave of absence in January and voted for Emily Norton and Veronica Kell to be the new members.

That initiated a debate between Commissioners James Deroian and John Hussey and the rest of the commission on whether the appointment of the new members was fair because they believed Small had resigned.

Due to that debate, selectmen decided to hold interviews, and as the appointing authorities, they wanted to choose the new members.

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Norton, Kell and Marshall were interviewed to fill the two open vacancies, and Karen Chapman, chairwoman of the Conservation Commission, and member Jennifer Pettit were interviewed for reappointment.

"I just have a question: Are you doing reappointments for other boards, too?" Chapman said. "It's unusual, and I hope you do it for other committees as well."

Lisio said she should not count on it. Chapman asked Lisio why the board chose the Conservation Commission for reappointment interviews.

"It was because of the difficulties your commission has been having," Lisio said.

Lisio proceeded to talk about the expectations she had for the commission members, such as following the open-meeting laws and attending as many meetings as possible.

Chapman asked Lisio if there have been any specific complaints about violations of open-meeting laws, and Lisio said there haven't but that she has heard comments from people who said members have been having conversations among themselves before meetings.

Lisio said that even though that might not be the case, she is concerned about the perception people have of the commission.

"I thinks this whole thing is accusatory," Chapman said.

Selectman Colin McNabb said no one is being accused, and he is sorry Chapman feels that way.

Chapman walked out of the room. She later returned with a typed letter of resignation.

"Karen has decided to resign, and I am very sorry she felt like she had to do that," Lisio said.

Selectman Carolyn Smart asked all candidates what they thought the Conservation Commission would be involved with besides making sure everyone follows the bylaws.

Kell said she does not have anything in mind at the moment, but she thinks the commission's duty is to keep the town the way it's supposed to be from a conservation standpoint.

Lisio asked Kell why she thinks she would be a good candidate for the position.

"First of all, I'm a rules person," she said. "I really think the purpose of the board is to see that the bylaws are the way they are meant to be and things are maintained the way the town wants them to be."

In answer to the question, Marshall said, "Working more with the landowner to try to come with a solution that might make the owner happier within the frame of the bylaw."

Smart also asked candidates what they think the commission can do to improve communication with townspeople about the commission's duties and the town bylaws.

Lisio asked Marshall what he would bring to the table, and he said he can be consistent and fair and bring common sense, something he thinks the commission sometimes lacks.

Norton was the last to be interviewed.

Carolyn asked her what other duties she thinks the commission should have besides enforcing the town bylaws.

"I see the opportunity to educate people about why we have these bylaws," Norton said. "If people understand the reason for the bylaws, they are more likely to be less resentful and more cooperative."

Norton said she thinks she would be a good commissioner because she spent her career working with kids, parents and administrators, and she has learned to resolve conflict pretty well.

She said she has ideas for the commission to get past the current difficulties.

Norton suggested that commission members attend other town boards' meetings and see how they function.

Pettit was interviewed for reappointment. She has been on the commission for more than 20 years and has worked with conservation for many years before being on the commission.

Selectmen proceeded to select Norton for a two-year commission term and Marshall for a one-year term. Pettit was reappointed to her original member position.

Chapman's position will be advertised in town hall for 10 days. The Conservation Commission will meet Aug. 29 and choose its recommendation for the open position. Selectmen will then appoint the new commission member in their next meeting.

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